Experienced Wrongful Death Lawyers Serving Oakland, CA
Wrongful death occurs when someone’s negligent or malicious actions cause the death of another. In Oakland, tragic port equipment accidents, car accidents, criminal behaviors, and other wrongful behaviors can lead to a person’s untimely death. Surviving family members have the right to just compensation if they lose someone in an avoidable accident. Our firm helps grieving families achieve justice and hold all liable parties accountable in wrongful death claims.
Why Choose Our Oakland Law Firm?
At Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger, our personal injury lawyers have helped many families secure full compensation under California’s wrongful death laws. Among our results, we have secured:
- A $52 million verdict in a propane explosion wrongful death case
- A $10 million settlement in an industrial machine failure wrongful death case
- A $5.5 million settlement in a motor home defect wrongful death case
- A $3.3 million settlement in an airline crash wrongful death case
Since 1959, clients from all walks of life have trusted us to represent them in some of the most devastating wrongful death suits in the Bay Area. Our peers respect us for our expertise and ethics, and opposing counsel understands our negotiating power. Our track record speaks for itself. If your loved one loses his or her life in a preventable incident, you can count on our team to use all of our resources to protect your right to compensation.
Understanding Wrongful Death in Oakland
Who Can File a Claim?
Wrongful death laws vary by state. California laws allow survivors to file one claim to secure compensation for their losses as well as the decedent’s losses prior to death. The state allows surviving spouses and children to file wrongful death cases as primary survivors. If these individuals are not available, another family member or financial dependent may bring forth the claim.
Someone does not have to die at the scene of an incident for a family to pursue a claim. Many of our clients’ family members spend days, weeks, or months in a hospital or home environment before succumbing to a preventable injury or illness. As long as the defendant’s behavior proximally caused the decedent’s death, the family reserves the right to file a claim.
Is There a Time Limit to File a Claim?
Qualifying survivors have two years from the date of death to file wrongful death lawsuits. A settlement or verdict can go a long way to settle your loved one’s affairs and protect your loved ones from financial hardship. Our Oakland wrongful death lawyers can make sure you file quickly and accurately. Compensatory awards may cover funeral/burial expenses, the deceased’s medical expenses prior to death, lost income, lost financial support, and the lost role of a family member.
What Damages Can My Family Recover?
For spouses, a settlement or verdict can serve as a form of replacement income, cover household chores, and the financial equivalent of love, guidance, and companionship. For children, compensation can cover the lost guidance, financial support, and love a parent would have provided in life. Our firm has access to a network of experts who can help us calculate a reasonable award for all of the losses your family has suffered from your loved one’s death.
Get the Legal Advice You Need: Contact An Oakland Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
Insurance companies may try to offer a settlement to your family in the aftermath of a clearly preventable incident. Please consult an Oakland wrongful death attorneys about the offer before you accept. Our attorneys can help you evaluate the fairness of a settlement offer and pursue further legal action to give you the financial resources you need after your loss. We will not let an insurance company offer you a low-ball amount.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we will never charge for legal fees unless we secure damages or a settlement on your behalf. Talk with one of our compassionate attorneys today to learn more about your right to maximum compensation in Oakland wrongful death claims. We can hold the negligent party responsible and fight for the justice of your loved one.
We serve clients all over Northern California, including the San Francisco Bay Area, Alameda County, Stockton, Berkeley, Fremont, Hayward, Sacramento, Marin County, Richmond, San Jose, San Leandro, San Rafael, and Antioch.
